10 Favourite Cillian Murphy Performances...

Today is the wonderful Cillian Murphy's 36th birthday. Back in the dark ages of this blog, I had a HUGE obsession with the man. Like, I'm talking more than Ralph Fiennes obsessed. During that obsession, I managed to see pretty much everything he's been in, apart from maybe 3 or 4 films (which are impossible to find in NZ). He's a pretty brilliant actor, who has shown more diversity than the average Joe in the movie. As shown in my 10 favourite performances from the most underrated actor of our time:

10. Neil in Watching the Detectives

I guess you could say that Watching the Detectives is Cillian's only real foray into an out-and-out comedy. Unfortunately, this rom-com starring Lucy Liu isn't overly great - mainly because it is so insane. But Cillian still manages to be completely awesome as the lovesick puppy Neil, with his performance venturing into such over-the-top outlandishness that only he could possibly pull off. Plus, he plays my dream guy (he owns a video store, he knows lots about movies...what's not to like?) Hopefully he can get a better comedy soon, because I'd like to see the funny side of Cilly again.

Week #7 in summary...! Cillian Murphy week, Part I

I watched a few Cillian Murphy movies this week, with some other films thrown into the mix. Oh, Cillian Murphy week runs into next week too...so many movies, not enough days...

• The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006) My first R15 for my fifteenth birthday...just a shame that for my 16th birthday I won't be watching my first R16. I think that happened when I was like 10 years old...6/10


• Mean Girls (2004) The. Best. High. School. Movie. Ever. Oh, it's one of my favourite films of all time too. 10/10


• Inception (2010) The third and probably final time I watch this movie in a while. This blog features some pretty intense actor/character stories, so definitely read this if you have seen the movie! 10/10


• Dear John (2010) I don't think watching this after watching Inception did it any favours...but it's a Nicholas Sparks adaption, so how could I possibly like it?! 4/10


• Breakfast on Pluto (2005) It is still really bothering me that Cillian Murphy is a much prettier girl then I will ever be. Someone should really get me some blue contacts one day and I might have a chance. 7/10


• Sunshine (2007) Cillian Murphy saves the world! And scares me off R13 movies for the rest of my life. 8/10


• Cold Mountain (2003) One of the most down to Earth romance movies I have ever seen. Otherwise, what I like to call the R16 version of Gone with the Wind. 10/10


• Ocean's Eleven (2001) Filled with Hollywood's cool cats and all the fun one with a bowl of popcorn could hope for...8/10

The best week ever. Yes, that is because Cillian Murphy was in most of the movies I saw this week. And I got to watch Inception again with all my friends.

Highlight: Duh. Going to the city with my friends for my birthday.

Lowlight: My actual birthday? Nah, it was a pretty good week for me.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley

There's a bit of a funny story as to why I watched The Wind that Shakes the Barley. Yes, it has Cillian Murphy in it, who I love dearly. But, the day I watched this happened to be my fifteenth birthday. What does this have to do with the movie? Well, here in New Zealand, we have an 'R15' rating, which is rarely given to films, but this film just happened to be one. I decided that on my birthday I would watch an R15, and this film was like one of the only R15's in the video store. Oh, I guess the Cillian Murphy thing did have a lot to do with my decision, too.
Ireland, 1920. As a wave of Republican nationalism sweeps the nation, workers across the country unite to form volunteer armies to combat the notorious 'Black and Tan' paramilitary squads sent over from Britain to quell the rebel uprising. Driven by a deep sense of duty and a love for his native Ireland, Damien (Cillian Murphy) abandons his promising career as a doctor and joins his brother, Teddy, in a dangerous and violent bid for Irish independence.

The Wind that Shakes the Barley has some of the most beautiful cinematography I have ever seen, which makes the film worth the watch. However, since I didn't really have an interest in this piece of Irish history, I didn't really get into it as many other people have. What I really have to say is that the British should get over themselves when they say that this film labels them as careless, because this is history and it really did look like they did some pretty horrible things to Ireland. If you are one of those British people, I still recommend that you watch the movie, because you can't really change what was done and this film provides a valuable insight to a struggle for independence.

The story of the two brothers fighting was pretty interesting, especially considering the circumstances they were fighting under. The movie was basically carried by Cillian Murphy, who kept me watching with his amazing performance and the help of those beautiful blue eyes. Ireland should be really proud of him as an actor. I would recommend this film to anyone with an interest in history and also Cillian Murphy, because you will absolutely love it.

A good history drama, that should have packed more of a punch. But Cillian Murphy saves the day with his heroic performance.

6/10